Cornerstone Chemical Company Awards $13,250 in Scholarships to Local Students

Published:   June 29, 2023

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, from 6 - 7:30 p.m., Cornerstone Chemical Company hosted its Fourth Annual Scholarship Banquet at River Parish Community College United Way of St. Charles Campus in Boutte, LA to honor 15 recipients of the Cornerstone Scholarship Program. The honorees included 10 students pursuing STEM-related degrees who each received $1,000 in scholarship funds. Cornerstone also honored five high school students who will attend the Louisiana Youth Seminar (LYS) at Louisiana State University.

The Cornerstone Scholarship Program awards $1,000 in scholarships to high school, college and post-secondary students concentrating in a STEM curriculum.

Five of the scholarships awarded were given to the children of Cornerstone Chemical Company employees, and five were given to community students, with a preference for those residing in Waggaman. Applications were reviewed by a blind jury comprised of Cornerstone Chemical Company’s Community Advisory Panel members. The applicants were evaluated on their academic excellence and involvement within their communities and schools. This year’s class boasted the largest number of applicants, with 23 students submitting scholarship applications.

Cornerstone Chemical Company also honored five high school rising juniors and seniors with scholarships to attend LYS, a weeklong summer leadership camp from July 16 - 21, 2023 at LSU in Baton Rouge. LYS seeks to emerge young adults into leadership through exercises and events that help build Louisiana's future leaders. The seminar is attended by high school juniors and seniors across Louisiana.

Awardees and their guests enjoyed a catered dinner and were greeted with an opening address by Zona Gibson, a Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Senior Administrative Assistant who has worked at Cornerstone Chemical Company for 34 years. Awardees were then presented with their scholarship certificates by Tom Yura, Cornerstone Chemical Company's Chief Operating Officer.

Guests of note included:

• District 5 Representative and Jefferson Parish School Board Vice President, Derrick Shepherd
• Jefferson Parish Chief of Schools, Ajit "AJ" Pethe
• Jefferson Parish Executive Director of School Support High, LaDinah Carter
• Jefferson Parish Director of Workforce Development, Kelly DiMarco

Cornerstone Chemical Company Event Details

Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: River Parish Community College United Way of St. Charles Campus, 13145 US-90, Boutte, LA 70039

Cornerstone Scholarship Program Recipients

• Jose Carmona - Louisiana Tech University
• Avery Folse - Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy
• Ella Guillot - Slidell High School
• Jacquel Lawson - Louisiana State University
• Joshua Nguyen - Rhodes College
• Mary Salvaggio - Archbishop Chapelle High School
• Madilyn Sanderson - University of Louisiana at Lafayette
• Rebecca Usey - Benjamin Franklin High School
• Sanaii Webber - Academy of Our Lady High School
• Hailey White - Southeastern University

Cornerstone Louisiana Youth Seminar (YSL) Scholarship Recipients

• Jazmine Antoine - John Ehret High School, Joseph A. Cuillier, Sr. Career Center
• Estafany Calderon - East Jefferson High School
• Jeremiah Davis - Helen Cox High School, Joseph A. Cuillier, Sr. Career Center
• Nathaly Navarro - East Jefferson High School
• Makenzie Shaw – L.W. Higgins High School, Joseph A. Cuillier, Sr. Career Center

Empowering the Next Wave of STEM Talent

Through a variety of community initiatives, Cornerstone Chemical Company is actively working to create new possibilities for Louisiana's rising STEM leaders. We believe that strengthening our workforce starts with the right resources and education, and we're proud to contribute to the advancement of all young minds with an eye for innovation.

Whether you're interested in our products, STEM-related programs or chemical plant careers, we invite you to contact us for more information today.

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